A new national curriculum would mandate detailed study of the Holocaust and guarantee schoolchildren are taught about the evils of antisemitism, the rule of law and ethical online content sharing, under reforms proposed by the national curriculum agency. Source: The Australian.
As the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion prepares to hand down its final report in response to the massacre of 15 Australians at a Jewish festival in Bondi last December, The Australian revealed a raft of recommendations put to governments on reforming the curriculum that includes teaching students the “skill of civil discourse” and the importance of “individual dignity”.
Under sweeping changes proposed by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, students would be taught the importance of confronting “harmful stereotypes and discriminatory tropes” alongside their studies of Jewish history.
The ACARA report recommended high school students be taught about Jewish life in Europe before World War II, the causes and consequences of the Holocaust and how groups supported, opposed or responded to Nazi policies.
While the existing curriculum already teaches students about the Holocaust, it is only included as a single mention in the Year 10 history syllabus.
Some teachers have warned they struggle to educate students on the Holocaust, with a recent survey revealing an example where one avoided it completely because of students’ negative views of Jewish people.
The Australian understands the report has been endorsed by both ACARA and the antisemitism education taskforce, led by former University of NSW chancellor David Gonski, and comes ahead of alleged Bondi massacre gunman Naveed Akram appearing at court today.
Education ministers will meet next week to discuss the proposed changes to the history and civics curriculum before the royal commission hands down its final report on December 18.
ACARA’s review into the curriculum recommends bolstering civics education to include teaching students that respect for democratic freedoms, individual dignity and the rule of law are core tenets of a fair society.
Under the planned changes, teachers would spell out to students how online and face-to-face discrimination damages social cohesion, while imparting the importance of confronting harmful stereotypes and tropes.
FULL STORY
Antisemitism education plan revealed as students to learn ‘harmful tropes’ and ‘ethical’ online conduct (By Lucy Carroll, The Australian)
